Cyclosporiasis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment of Cyclospora Infection

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

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Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that can cause you to become extremely ill.

A cyclospora infection begins with typical food poisoning symptoms. But, if left untreated, it can lead to long term problems like Reiter’s syndrome, biliary disease, and acalculous cholecystitis.

Read on to know all about cyclospora outbreaks, including cyclosporiasis causes, as well as treatment and prevention.

Cyclosporiasis Symptoms

Cyclosporiasis symptoms are very much like those of food poisoning. The symptoms may last for a few days or a few weeks, depending on the severity of the infection, and may also reoccur. So, you may think that they’ve finally disappeared, only to find the symptoms return hours later. The symptoms usually include:

A general feeling of unwellness

Fatigue that may continue long after the other symptoms have disappeared

Cyclosporiasis Causes

The main cause of cyclosporiasis is a microscopic parasite called cyclospora cayetanensis. It’s usually transmitted by someone else that has had the same parasite. But, the parasite is not infectious for weeks, until it has passed in a bowel movement.

More than likely, the parasite came in contact with you through food or drink that has been contaminated with infected fecal matter. While people who live in or travel to developing countries are more at risk of being infected, the problem has spread to the rest of the world. And, if you have contact with contaminated food or water, you are at risk.

Cyclosporiasis Diagnosis

As we mentioned, the symptoms of cyclosporiasis are incredibly similar to other types of food poisoning and viral infections, which make them difficult to diagnose. So, if you’ve been suffering from the symptoms above, the first step is to see a doctor.

The doctor will consider your recent medical history and may ask you about your recent travel history. If the doctor feels that there is enough evidence to warrant further investigation, you may need to provide a stool sample for further tests. Unfortunately, the main way to confirm a cyclosporiasis diagnosis is through laboratory tests in a stool sample, as the parasite will not show up in blood or urine tests.

There are other more invasive tests on internal fluids such as intestinal fluids. These tests may reveal similar results, but stool samples are fairly standard. Once your doctor confirms a diagnosis, you can move on to your treatment options.

Cyclosporiasis Treatment

There are a few ways to treat cyclosporiasis. If the doctor thinks your healthy enough and the symptoms appear to be passing, he or she may let your body just try and take care of it on its own. But, if the infection is severe enough, antibiotics may be prescribed instead.

The main medication used to treat the infection is a combination antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. But, some people may be unable to take this combination antibiotic for various reasons. So, for those people, ciprofloxacin or nitazoxanide is often recommended.

While you may be able to come out of it on your own, it is important to get a doctor’s advice. The reason is that prolonged exposure to the infection can increase the risk of you transmitting it to others. Also, the infection can have more serious effects on your health that you may be unaware of.

Cyclosporiasis Prevention

You can prevent cyclosporiasis by avoiding contaminated water and food. This can be done by drinking bottled water and avoiding ready-to-eat produce. This tip is especially important if you are traveling in developing countries. It is also recommended to boil any water that you will be drinking or using to cook in these situations.

Washing your fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of a cyclosporiasis infection. But, this is by no means a guaranteed way of preventing the infection from occurring.

Cyclosporiasis Should Be Taken Seriously

Cyclosporiasis can have serious implications just like any parasitic infection. In addition to the issues mentioned here, there are other symptoms to worry about, like dehydration.

Severe complications are always a possibility if the infection isn’t taken seriously and treated. Hopefully, this article has given you all the information you need to spot the possibility of a cyclospora infection before it does too much damage. Also, the tips provided here can help you to avoid the infection altogether.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.